Stephen Curry stepping up to sponsor golf programs at Howard

Howard University is launching Division I level golf with Stephen Curry stepping up as a significant sponsor.

Stephen Curry visited Howard University in January for a screening of his documentary, Emanuel. He met and hit the golf course with Otis Ferguson, then a junior who had passed up chances to play golf in school to attend Howard. Like a lot of historically black colleges, Howard doesn’t have a golf team.

That’s about to change. On Monday, according to the Washington Post, Curry returned to announce he’s sponsoring the creation of men’s and women’s golf teams at Howard.

Over the next six years, Curry said he will make a seven-figure donation to help with expenses related to launching the program, including hiring coaches, recruiting athletes and figuring out venues for practice and play. Howard plans to have the teams in place for the 2020-21 academic year, and they will compete at the Division I level for the first time in the school’s 152-year history.

Howard had a Division II golf program for decades, but according to the Post university officials believe it was discontinued in the 1970s.

Curry is, of course, a notable celebrity athlete golfer, as he competes in notable Pro-Ams every year and has played a stop on the Korn Ferry Tour as well. Via a press release, he talked about the impact the sport has had on him and can have on those that play.

"Golf is a sport that has changed my life in ways that are less tangible, but just as impactful,” “It’s a discipline that challenges your mental wherewithal from patience to focus, and is impossible to truly master, so when you hear about these passionate student athletes who have the talent but don’t have a fair shot at the game, it’s tough."

Economics play a big role in making accessibility to golf an ongoing challenge. From his corner of the world, and with the resources to help, Curry is stepping up to help Howard add a competitive team on the collegiate level.